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Levels on the North Sask. River at Prince Albert are more than three metres higher than normal. Flow is about five times faster than normal. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)
High water

River will peak by Friday: Water Security Agency

Jun 23, 2022 | 3:06 PM

Right now, the North Saskatchewan River is full of sticks and debris picked up by high water levels, but it is not expected to last much longer.

Sean Osmar with the Water Security Agency said that water levels should reach their highest and fastest in the city sometime between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

“We’re going to see peak flows at Prince Albert late day or early tomorrow so that would be peak flows around 1,300 cubic metres per second. Typical flows this time of year are 500,” he said.

High water levels were expected because of lots of rain upstream.

Alex Paul with the Prince Albert Fire Department said that right now the water is 3.5 metres higher than normal and their boat launch is underwater.

They are also advising people to stay out of the water and to take precautions, including with pets when walking nearby.

“If somebody goes in, a pet or person, they’re going to get swept away quite rapidly,” said Paul.

While rescue personnel can still get a boat in the water, a person being swept in would end up downstream and be difficult to find with all the debris on the surface.

The river is higher than normal but not expected to cause any damage.

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow

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